Few guitarists have lived and breathed rock ’n’ roll quite like Slash. From the explosive rise of Guns N’ Roses to his work with Velvet Revolver and his solo career, the top-hatted guitarist has built a reputation around massive riffs, unforgettable solos and an unapologetic love for hard rock.

But when the subject turns to Motörhead, Slash’s admiration goes far beyond simply being a fan.

The Guns N’ Roses icon has previously revealed the Motörhead songs that hold a particularly special place in his personal musical history and his choices may surprise fans who expected him to simply name the band’s biggest anthem.

According to a 2021 interview with Revolver, Slash was asked to identify some of his favorite Motörhead songs. His response immediately highlighted just how deeply the British band’s music had influenced him. Rather than limiting himself to the obvious choice, he pointed to “(We Are) The Road Crew” and “Killed by Death.”

And there is an extraordinary story behind the first choice.

“We Are The Road Crew” Was More Than Just a Favorite

For Slash, “(We Are) The Road Crew” was not merely another great Motörhead song.

It was personal.

In the interview, Slash explained that it had been one of his favorite songs for a very long time and revealed that Motörhead’s influence actually helped inspire the name of one of his earliest bands.

That band was Road Crew.

The connection makes the choice far more meaningful. Before Guns N’ Roses became a worldwide phenomenon, Slash was already absorbing the sound and attitude of the bands that would shape his musical identity.

And Motörhead was clearly one of them.

Slash’s admiration for the song also demonstrates why his musical taste has never been confined to conventional definitions of hard rock or heavy metal. Motörhead’s music combined speed, aggression, punk attitude and rock ’n’ roll swagger, creating a sound that influenced generations of musicians.

For a young guitarist destined to become one of rock’s most recognizable figures, that combination was almost impossible to ignore.

Then Came “Killed by Death”

If fans expected Slash to choose only the biggest Motörhead classics, his second selection added another surprise.

He named “Killed by Death” as one of his favorite Motörhead anthems.

The track, released in 1984, captures everything that made Motörhead so distinctive: ferocious guitars, Lemmy Kilmister’s unmistakable voice and a relentless rhythm section.

But perhaps the most revealing part of Slash’s comments was that he didn’t pretend his list was definitive.

He essentially admitted that choosing only a couple of songs was almost impossible.

There were simply too many Motörhead tracks he loved.

That tells fans something important about Slash’s relationship with the band. This wasn’t a casual appreciation based on one famous song. Motörhead was woven into his musical DNA.

What About “Ace of Spades”?

Naturally, there was one enormous omission that immediately grabs attention.

“Ace of Spades.”

For millions of rock fans, the song is practically synonymous with Motörhead. Released in 1980 as the title track of the band’s legendary album, it became their signature anthem and one of the defining songs of heavy rock.

Slash, however, didn’t name it when asked about his favorites in that particular interview.

That doesn’t mean he dislikes it.

In fact, Slash has previously discussed the enormous impact of the Ace of Spades album. In a 2012 BBC Radio 6 interview, he recalled that Ace of Spades was the first Motörhead album he remembered getting, after having already heard the title song.

So while “Ace of Spades” may be the song most closely associated with Motörhead in the public imagination, Slash’s personal favorites reveal something different.

He wasn’t simply choosing the most famous tracks.

He was choosing songs that connected with him.

Slash and Lemmy: A Friendship Built on Rock ’n’ Roll

There is another reason Slash’s Motörhead selections carry so much emotional weight.

Slash and Lemmy were friends.

Slash was among the musicians who had a genuine personal connection with the Motörhead frontman, and he has spoken warmly about him following Lemmy’s death in 2015. The relationship extended beyond admiration between musicians.

The two also collaborated.

Lemmy appeared on Slash’s solo album Slash, contributing vocals to “Doctor Alibi.” Slash later described that song as one of his favorites on the record, praising Lemmy’s attitude and spirit.

That collaboration remains one of the most memorable meetings of two generations of hard-rock attitude.

Slash’s guitar and Lemmy’s unmistakable voice sounded like a collision between two different eras of rock yet somehow, the combination felt completely natural.

The Motörhead Influence Runs Deep

Motörhead’s influence on Slash isn’t difficult to understand.

The band never cared much about fitting neatly into one musical category. Their music could be brutally heavy, incredibly fast, punk-influenced and unmistakably rock ’n’ roll at the same time.

That attitude had enormous influence on the generation that followed.

Slash’s own playing carries many of the same principles: don’t overcomplicate the music, make the riff memorable, play with attitude and never sacrifice raw energy for perfection.

That’s part of what makes his Motörhead choices so fascinating.

Instead of simply reaching for the obvious answer, Slash pointed toward songs that represent the spirit he admired most.

A Playlist That Says Everything About Slash

Put Slash’s selections together and an interesting picture emerges.

“(We Are) The Road Crew” represents the road, the lifestyle and the musicians living for rock ’n’ roll.

“Killed by Death” represents Motörhead’s darker, heavier and more rebellious side.

And Ace of Spades represents the unmistakable gateway through which Slash discovered the full power of the band.

Together, they paint a portrait of an artist who wasn’t simply impressed by Motörhead’s fame.

He understood the attitude.

And perhaps that is the biggest revelation of all.

For generations of rock fans, Motörhead represented freedom, danger, volume and authenticity. For Slash, those qualities were apparently powerful enough to influence even the name of his early band and remain part of his musical identity decades later.

So while fans may continue debating which Motörhead song deserves the number-one spot, Slash’s choices offer a fascinating glimpse into the music that helped shape one of rock’s most iconic guitarists.

And if there is one thing his selections prove, it’s this:

Slash doesn’t just listen to Motörhead. He carries a piece of Motörhead’s attitude with him.